Audible indicating device.



H. B. BARNES.

AUDIBLE INDICATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 10. 1914.

Patented Oct. 23,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I H. B. BARNES.

AUDIBLE INDICATIN G DEVICE.

- APPLICATION FILED on. 10. 1914.

Patented Oct. 23,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Y HAROLD EBARNES, 01 DENVER, CQLORADO.

AUDIBLE INDICATING- DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 10, 1914. Serial No. 866,106.

To all whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD B. BARNES, a cltizen of the United States, residing at the clty and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Audible Indicating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in audible indicating devices for switches, and particularly to snap switches for electrlcal purposes. The object is to provide means for causing a sound when the switch is moved from one position to another, so that the-operator will know by the sound to just what position the switch has been moved. This is particularly advantageous when the switch is applied to a heating appliance, where no light is available or controlled by the'switch; and furthermore it is often difficult to arrange the switch on a heating device so that the operator can see the visible indicating means which is applied to many switches in such service.

The invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings;

Figure l is a top plan view showing my invention applied to a two point snap switch;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a'modified form showing a three point switch;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a switch in which a push button or stem is used showing my invention applied;

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the manner of operation;

Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of two additional modified forms, and

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are modified forms of vibratory springs or reeds.

A, represents the base of the switch, and 1, 1 are the-posts to which springs or reeds 2, 2 are connected.- A stem 3 is connected to the base and carries a cross-bar 4 which is adapted to make contact with the posts. This cross-piece is connected to the stem by means of pins or rivets 5, 5, the heads of which pins or rivets are adapted to be engaged by the ends of the vibratory springs or reeds 2 when the switch is in on position, and sound will be dull, but when the cross-bar is thrown to off position the action of the pins or rivets 5 upon the reeds 2 will produce a' distinct sound due to the vibration of the reeds, which is different from the sound transmitted by the engagement of the reeds with the heads of the pins or rivets when the switch is thrown to on position.

In the form shown in Fig. 3, I have are actuated by the projection 8 on the.

stem 9, each spring will emit a different musical note or sound, which notes or sounds will soon become associated in the mind of the operator with the several positions of the switch.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, I have disclosed the invention applied to the pushbutton type of switch, wherein the stem 10 is provided with a tooth or projection 11. The spring or reed 12 is fastened to base A, and is provided with right-angular flange 13 which engages the enlarged portion 14 on projection 11 when the stem is in off position, but when the stem is pushed to on position the flange 13 will be engaged by the projection 11, and the spring caused to vibrate after the projection has passed, causing a musical note or sound to be emitted.

The reeds or springs may be coiled or bent, or of various shapes and cross sections, as may be required to produce the sound or note desired.

The structures set forth in Figs. 6 and 7, are applied more'particularly to the disk 16, which may be the indicating disk applied to many modern rotary switches. It is preferable that the disk be of a slightly greater diameter than the usual disk used for indicating urposes, and on the peripheral edge teeth 1 are formed, as indicated in Fig. 6,

which shows two sets of teeth, with a smooth surface 18 interposed therebetween. The on position is indicated by the teeth, and a sound will be emitted as the reed .or spring 19 is caused to engage the teeth, but no sound will be given when the disk is turned Patented Oct. 23, 1917..

v tell by the sound emitted just what point of the switch is in engagement with the spring. A smooth surface 21 is provided for engagement with the spring, to indicate the OE position.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a mechanism which can be adapted to various types of switches, and can be adapted to emit a sound for any number of positions for which the switches may be designed. The reeds or springs can be' so constructed as to emit a different note or sound for each position, and the operator will soon become accustomed to the different notes and thereby know just the position taken by the switch when operated.

It is evident that many slight alterations might be made in the form and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as the invention is applicable to valves, which are capable of being I turned to lowmedium"-high"andofipositions, and

meagre hence I do not wish to be limited to the exact constructions herein set forth.

I claim 1. An audible indicating device, comprising a stem adapted to be moved to different positions, engaging means on said stem, vibratory means rigidly supported and capable of being engaged by said engaging means so arranged that as the stem moves to a different position the engaging means will release said vibratory means so that it will be permitted to vibrate freely upon its support.

' 2. An audible indicating device for switches comprising a stem rotatable in one direction with a step by step movement adapted to be moved to diflerent positions, engaging means on said stem, vibratory means rigidly supported and'capable of being engaged-by said engaging means so arranged that as the stem moves to a difi'erent position the engaging means will release said vibratory means so that it will be permitted to vibrate freely upon its support and thus to indicate audibly the position of said stem. In testimony whereof I afiix my signature,

in the presence of two witnesses.

I-IAROIJD B. BARNES.

Witnesses:

CHARLES A. M. HALL, D. EDGAR WILSON. 

